A Jay-Z Playlist for Life's Troubles

Sean Carter, the Grammy winning rapper and entrepreneur widely known as "Jay-Z" has produced several albums featuring songs that can be used as self-help tools for men and women across the globe. The chorus of these songs may be more inspirational than some of the main lyrics depending on the life circumstances of those listening to this music. Here are a few Jay-Z songs that can be used to make a therapeutic playlist for use in a variety of unpleasant circumstances.

"Dirt Off Your Shoulder" from The Black Album (2003)

The lyrics that Jay-Z recites in this song including "I'm the realest that run it, I just happen to rap.........from bricks to Billboards, from grams to Grammys," would make it easy to label this as a cocky tune. Some music fans may perceive "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" to be a song about flaunting one's success but it can be used to help teenagers and working adults build their self-confidence. Music fans who endure bullying at school or in the workplace can especially benefit from this particular Jay-Z song because its message appears to encourage some level of progression. Men and women who have bullies in their lives or are facing tough circumstances can use "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" as motivation to move forward despite the setbacks that they are experiencing.

"Lost One" from Kingdom Come (2006)

Some of the lyrics in this song can be used as motivation to end unhealthy friendships or romantic relationships but can also be used on a wider spectrum. Jay-Z's entire statement about people not realizing what kind of person they turned into even after looking in the mirror is a powerful testament to how quickly friends can become enemies. "Lost One" is inspirational because it highlights the importance of letting go of the negative people in our lives. Those who try bring someone us down and become burdens either professionally or personally stand our way of reaching our full potential. While it may be difficult to end a professional or personal relationship that has become toxic, Jay-Z's words "let go to get one......lose some to win some" express how doing so may even be rewarding.

"Can't Knock the Hustle" from Reasonable Doubt (1999)

Jay-Z's musical debut included one of the greatest songs that many working class citizens can appreciate. While the lyrics may allude to selling drugs as it's definition of "hustling," this song is powerful enough to motivate employees who are unsatisfied with their jobs or embarrassed about their level of success compared to their peers. At the end of the last verse for "Can't Knock the Hustle," Jay-Z mentions how he can't put down the way a man is "eatin'" or rather, making money. That is inspirational because no working citizen should be ashamed of what he does for a living, so long as it is legal.

Everyone can benefit from this song because we can also use it as a reminder to not judge others on the choices that they make in their efforts to put food on their table. Working citizens should be proud of their jobs regardless of whether it is at a retail store that pays minimum wage or a large advertising firm where they face difficulty getting a promotion.